Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child - Jeffrey Freed, M.A.T. and Laurie Parsons (1997, Simon & Shuster)Innovative, sensible methods for helping children achieve according to their own extraordinary abilities. Freed writes "What these children need is not a prescription for pills but a prescription for a different learning method."

Talking Back to Ritalin - Peter R. Breggin, M.D. (1998, Common Courage Press).This new book by Peter R. Breggin, M.D., thoroughly documents the many scientific studies that have been ignored by Ritalin advocates. "Ritalin does not correct chemical imbalances - it causes them." Important reading for anyone seeking an understanding of the dangers of Ritalin and related drugs. Also: The War Against Children (1994, St. Martin's Press). A critical look at Ritalin and ADD.

The Myth of the A.D.D. Child, 50 Ways to Improve Your Child's Behavior and Attention Span Without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion - Thomas Armstrong (1997, Plume)Dr. Armstrong is widely known for his support of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, seven learning styles identified by Dr. Howard Gardner.

The Edison Trait: Saving the Spirit of Your Nonconforming Child - Lucy Jo Palladino.Divergent-thinking Edison-type children in a convergent-thinking world. Edison-trait people are the inventors and explorers. Discusses why your child might be different, but not have ADD.

Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception - Thom Hartmann (1993, Underwood/Miller).Best-seller based on Hartmann's remarkable "hunters in a farmer's world" theory of ADD. Also Think Fast! The A.D.D. Experience, edited by Thom Hartmann and Janie Bowman (1996, Underwood). Personal experiences from the ADD forum on CompuServe.

The Wildest Colts Make the Best Horses: What To Do When Your Child is Labeled a Problem by the Schools - John Breeding (1996, Bright Books)

Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood - Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D. (1995, Touchstone).Written by two psychiatrists who have ADD, the book portrays ADD in a positive, compassionate way. They submit that many children have what they term pseudo-ADD; they weren't born this way, but are a product of our fast-paced, over-stimulating culture. Also Answers to Distraction (1996, Bantam).

The International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology4628 Chestnut Street Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 652-5580http://www.breggin.com email: breggin@tmn.comA research and education network supporting efforts to stop the psychiatric drugging of children. Newsletter, web site, annual meetings. Founded by Dr. Peter Breggin, author of Talking Back to Ritalin, The War on Children and other titles.

Video

The Merrow Report: Attention Deficit Disorder: A Dubious Diagnosis? This award-winning program by investigative reporter John Merrow set off a national wave of coverage of ADD in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, and on every major television network. After this broadcast, the U.S. Department of Education withdrew from circulation several misleading videos about ADD, and Ciba-Geigy, the makers of Ritalin, issued a public warning about abuse of the drug. $59.95 plus $3.50 shipping. For a free catalog of videos on education by John Merrow write to South Carolina ETV, Marketing Department, Box 11000, Columbia, SC 29211; (800) 553-7752; http://www.scetv.org Also see an outstanding selection of resources on The Merrow Report site at http://www.pbs.org/merrow

Military Service? Department of Defense Directive 6130.3: "Physical standards of appointment, enlistment and induction disqualify those with chronic history of academic skills or perceptual defects secondary to organic or functional mental disorders that interfere with work or school after age 12." Translation: Children taking Ritalin and similar drugs after age 12 can be disqualified from joining the military services. The Defense Department is exempt from the Americans with Disabilities Act. Its policy is "to access only those who can be deployed worldwide without specialized medical treatment or prescription medications."